To say I have been told a few times that I have the best job ever would be an understatement. Not saying this is true or not, just that nearly everyone tells me this. I am the proud owner of the job of helping out at a veterinary clinic. I work everyday, save weekends, for only about 2 hours to help with whatever they need at the end of the day.
One reason it is really awesome is because I don't have to work weekends. My 'boss' (as she technically would be called) is super nice and understanding as she will allow me to take off for just about anything having to do with my schooling. If I have an advisor meeting or if I have a midterm coming up, everyone helps and makes sure that I get everything I need done. Whether it is covering for me as I don't come in for the day or helping me get my list done earlier so I can skip out fast is always a big help and very much appreciated.
Another really awesome point is that I get to interact with animals all the time. I was taught how to properly hold an animal, mainly dogs to be truthful, and help out with things like nail trims and blood draws. It also isn't frowned upon when I stop and visit with one of the patients that are staying with us at the moment.
My job is actually really informative. It gives me a pretty cool basis for my intended major of nursing too. There was one time that I was sweeping in the back when the vet came through and asked me if I wanted to see something really cool. She then showed me a series of x-rays of a really healthy dog who had something called hip dysplasia. Now this might not ever affect this dog, but as he got older if his hips started bothering him they would know how to treat him right away. Also she showed me how a dog without it looked, and it was really interesting.
Of course, not everything is great. There are always sick animals or ones that are old, but this had taught me some really great lessons. First, it is okay for the vet to be super sad with the family, every time I see them walk out of the euthanasia room they have the heads up but their eyes are watery. It is something that really impacted me as I know that in my chosen profession there are going to be hard days. I shouldn't bottle that stuff up: I should be allowed to feel it, and sometimes you need to be reminded of that. Also it shows that people have great compassion. Not just the people I work with but also the clients that we have come in. In general, they are great people; ones who take in extra animals that are sick and ones that put everything they have into the betterment of their animal, even if the outcome isn't great. I learned that optimism isn't something to shy away from and that no one has to be the strongest person ever. We are all human.
I am so grateful for my job, and I don't think I could have asked for a better first job besides the stereotypical babysitting. I was given my job through a really great way and I am so thankful that I was. It has changed me as a person and I have a whole new set of people that I can look up to and ask any kind of question to. This clinic doesn't ever really feel like a job. It is something I look forward to everyday and something I miss when I don't go in. To the people I work with, I am not just some kid that comes in at the end of the day--that is not how I am treated. I am asked how my day was, how school is going, anything at all. I love my job and not just because I get to work with animals, but because I have an awesome group of people to work with.
